Woodchucks, Rafters players get opportunity in Northwoods League 'Showcase'

WAUSAU – A combined nine players from the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters and Wisconsin Woodchucks roster were selected to participate in the Northwoods League’s Major League Dreams Showcase on Aug. 8 in Madison.

The showcase consists of a doubleheader featuring the top players from the NWL South and North Divisions, who were selected by a panel of Major League Baseball scouts. The players will go through a workout in front of the scouts at Warner Park, followed by the doubleheader.  The two games will be played at 4:05 p.m. and 7:35 p.m.

Four Rafters players will be on the home team for the first game — infielder Bryson Stott, outfielder Jake Guenther and pitchers Isaiah Carranza and Layne Henderson. Marshfield native and Eau Claire Express manager Dale Varsho will lead the home team in the first game. 

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The Chucks will have five players on the visitor’s squad for the second game —outfielders Stevie Mangrum and Logan Foster, catcher Hunter Coleman and pitchers Orsen Josephina and Lenny Gwizdala.

Nearly 80 NWL players will compete in the showcase and the two games. 

Mangrum was named the ‘Star of Stars’ during the NWL All-Star Game last week and has a .310 batting average this summer and a team-high 37 RBI for the Chucks. Foster has a .304 batting average so far this summer, and Coleman is batting .270 in 20 games.

Josephina closed out the All-Star Game and has 14 saves this summer, and Gwizdala has a 1.10 earned run average and 30 strikeouts in 32 ⅔ innings.

Scott has started a team-high 51 games for the Rafters this season he leads the  team with 17 stolen bases and is second with a .333 batting average.

Guenther was among the Rafters’ six All-Star selections and has a .310 batting average this season and 38 RBI.

Carranza has a 2.53 earned run average and 32 strikeouts in 32 innings this season for Rapids and Henderson has converted on all 13 of his save opportunities.  Henderson holds a 1.77 ERA and opponents have five hits off him in 20 innings

The Madison Mallards will have a league-high seven players in the showcase and the group will be part of the home team squad in the second game of the doubleheader. 

Tickets for the event can be purchased at mallardsbaseball.com.